Description of Giraffe

﻿Because of their long necks and legs, giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. Patch coloration and shape can vary within their extensive habitat range. Females are distinguished from males in that the females have shorter, inward-curving horns. In both sexes, a long mane of stiff, brushlike hairs extends from the back of the head to the shoulders. Giraffes exhibit a unique, fluid gait. When walking, the fore and hind legs on the same side appear to move almost in unison. Swift and fleeting, giraffes can gallop up to thirty-three miles per hour. Their gallop can be described as a motion in which the front legs move together and their hind legs move forward and outward, enveloping the forelegs in a unique rhythmic pattern. Long and graceful, their sleek necks swing back and forth rhythmically with their legs. The neck has remarkable range of motion. A system of blood vessels and valves in the neck protects the brain and reduces blood pressure when the animal lowers its head.

Diet

Although some may feed at night, giraffes are classified as herbivorous diurnal eaters. They are browsers, and competition for food is greatly reduced because of the height at which they feed. The male feeds at greater heights, with his head stretched upward, whereas the female feeds at lower heights, often bending her head and neck to reach the leaves. Giraffes feed mainly on the highly nutritious leaves, fruit, and flowers of acacia trees. Their long, dexterous tongues strip leaves from the acacia twigs. Giraffes often consume soil and bones to balance the phosphorus and calcium in their blood. When feeding on sprouted vegetation and when drinking water, giraffes splay their front legs and bend their knees. In such a position, they are vulnerable to predators, especially lions. Giraffes can go without water for days.